Vertical tabulation mechanism for telegraph printers



May 29, 195-1 M. T. GoETz 2,554,903

VERTICAL TABULATION MECHANISM FOR TELEGRAPH PRINTERS Filed March 7, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 1 MAuRus T. GoETz ATTORNEY M. T. GOETZ May 29, 1951 VERTICAL TABULATION MECHANISM FOR TELEGRAPH PRINTERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1950 Srelease the platen for rotation.

Patented May 29, 1951 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VERTICAL TABULATION MECHANISM FOR TELEGRAPH PRINTERS Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 7, 1950, Serial No. 148,131

12 Claims. 1

'I'he present invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to appaf ratus applicable to telegraph printers for enabling such printers to feed out a message form from any position of the printer platen and to perform vertical tabulation functions, that is, to advance the printer platen to a next subsequent predetermined line position;

The present invention is particularly applicable when it is desired to receive telegraph messages on forms of uniform length or upon a web which is to be severed, after the message printing operation, into forms of uniform length. In the kpresent disclosure, in order to avoid any possible misconception, the following terminology will be used: Form out or form out operation refers to the operation of advancing the platen rotatably from any position to a position whereby the first line to receive printed telegraph signals, of the next subsequent form to be moved into printing position, is aligned in printing position. In other words during a form out operation, an

.old form is moved completely out of printing position and a new form is moved to a position such Verpre-set stop position which may be any amount of rotation up to that occurring during a form out operation.

.'Ihe principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus applicable to standard telegraph printers for enabling such printers to perform vertical tabulation and form out operations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vertical tabulation and form out mechanism whereby forms of different lengths may be handled.

A further object of the invention is to provide avertical tabulation and formk out mechanism having manually settable stops corresponding to each line position of a form of the maximum length to be used by the printer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vertical tabulation and form out mechanism wherein the platen is rotated rapidly and continuously upon release for rotation to thereby accomplish vertical tabulation and form out operations rapidly, thereby saving valuable line time.

- In the present invention the platen is power driven through a friction clutch. As escapement mechanism is actuated during line feed, vertical tabulation, and form out operations to thereby A stop disc or ring carrying a plurality of manually settable stops'circumvents a control disc having a plurality of control pins. Both the stops and the control pins correspond to line positions of the platen. 'I'he control ring is geared to rotate with the platen, and the control pins, which rotate with the control ring, when set in operable position are of such configuration as to engage the stops which have previously been moved to operative position. This engagement causes the platen to stop rotating during either a vertical tabulation or form out operation. During a vertical tabulation operation, upon the stopping of the rotation of the platen due to engagement of an operably positioned control pin with a stop, other means are provided for enabling the control pin to pass the stop so engaged. During a form out operation the platen rotates until the control pin in operable position engages a form out stop'. After the platen stops rotating upon completion of a form out operation the control pin which engaged the form out stop is moved to inoperative position in the control disc and the control pin in zero position, which corresponds to the first print receiving line of a form, is moved to operable position.

It is therefore apparent that another object of the invention is to provide a form out and vertical tabulation mechanism wherein the control means thereof, which rotates with the platen, need not be returned to a zero position after the completion of a form out operation.

'Ihe above and many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent, particularly to those skilled in the art, from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an overall view of the invention showing the principal features thereof;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially yalong the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the escapement Vmechanism for controlling the rotation of the 3 disclosed in the patent to Morton et al., No. 1,904,164, and also that the mechanism for rotating the platen will be of the type disclosed in the copending application of E. T. Baldwin Serial No. 66,733, filed December 22, 1948, now U. S. Patent No. 2,536,528 of January 2, 1951. Both the Morton et al. patent and the Baldwin application are hereby incorporated into the present disclosure by reference and for a detailed description of the printer and platen rotating mechanism contemplated to be used with the present invention, reference should be had to said patent and copending application. It is not to be understood that the present invention is inapplicable to any other type of printer, as the Morton et al. printer is mentioned for purposes of illustrating a typical widely used type of telegraph printer to which the invention is applicable.

Referring now to the drawings and first, specically to Fig. 2, a fragmental portion II of the telegraph printer frame is shown. A platen shaft I2, mounted rotatably in the frame by means not shown, carries a platen I3` securely mounted thereon. A friction clutch I4 has its driven portion I6 secured to the platen shaft I2 and its drive portion I1 secured to a sleeve I8 rotatably mounted upon the platen shaft I2. A toothed wheel or pulley I9 is rotatable about the shaft I2 and has a drive portion 2| of a friction type grab clutch 22 aixed thereto. A sleeve 23 rotatable about the sleeve I3 carries a driven portion 24 of the clutch 22. A collar 26 having a peripheral groove 21 is secured to the sleeve 23 and a compression spring 28, in pushing against the collar 26 and the drive member I1, retains both clutches I4 and 22 in driving condition. Power for rotating the platen I3 is derived from a continuously rotating shaft 29. The shaft 29 carries a gear 3I which meshes with a gear 32 secured to a rotatable shaft 33. The shaft 33 carries a toothed wheel or pulley 34 over wihch a chain or. belt 36 passes. The belt 36 also passes over the pulley I9 to thereby supply rotative power to the platen drive mechanism.

In order to facilitate the positioning of message forms around the platen I3 and particularly to facilitate the proper alignment of the forms when a new supply thereofcis being inserted into the printer, the following means are provided. A manually operable lever 31, mounted suitably on a pivot bolt 38, is urged continuously in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 39. A link 4I secured pivotally to the lever 31 connects the lever 31 with a bell crank 42 mounted pivotally on a suitable pivot bolt 43. The other arm of the bell crank 42 has a link 44 secured pivotally thereto which is also connected pivotally to a bifurcated lever 46 suitably mounted on a pivot bolt 41. The bifurcated lever 46 has a suitable stud 48 secured to each arm thereof, each of which studs 4S are designed to ride in the peripheral groove 21. When the manually operable lever 31 is depressed, the link 4I is lowered thereby pivoting the bell crank 42 counterclockwise. When the bell crank 42 is pivoted in this manner the link 44 is pulled to the left (Fig. 2) and the bifurcated lever 48 moves the collar 26 and driven clutch part 24 to the left against the urging of the compression spring 28. With the driven clutch part 24 disengaged from the drive member 2|, the platen I3 may be rotated freely to thereby permit a new supply of forms to be readily aligned around the platen I3.

1t is apparent that during normal operation of the printer, that is, when printing operations are taking place, the platen is held stationary. Under this condition the drive member I1 of the friction clutch I4 slips relative to the driven member I6 inasmuch as the continuously rotating power shaft 29 constantly urges the platen I3 forward rotatively. Rotation of the platen I3 is controlled by an escapement mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

The mechanism for controlling the rotation of the platen I3 will now be described. The platen shaft I2 has a ratchet 49 rigidly secured thereto, with which a pair of pawls 5I and 52 cooperate. The pawl 5I is mounted pivotally on a suitable shaft 53 and the pawl 52 is mounted pivotally on a shaft 54. The two pawls 5I and 52 are continuously urged towards one another by a spring 56 but are retained apart by a rod 51 mounted within the coils of the spring 56 and abutting the pawls 5I and 52. During line feed operations a line feed link 58 secured suitably to the pawl 52 is moved downwardly and then returned upwardly to the position shown. During the downward movement of the line feed link 58 the pawl 52 is pivoted counterclockwise about its pivot shaft 54. This counterclockwise motion of the pawl 52 is transferred to the pawl 5I by means of the rod 51. The pawl 5I is thereby lifted from engagement with the ratchet 49. As the pawl 5I becomes disengaged from the ratchet 49, the pawl 52 has been moved into engagement with the ratchet. When the ratchet 49 is retained stopped by the pawl 5I, the stopping or effective surface of the pawl 52 is opposite a point midway between two teeth on the ratchet and therefore upon disengagement of the pawl 5I from the ratchet, the ratchet is permitted to rotate an amount equal to approximately one half the distance between two ratchet teeth or until a tooth engages the pawl 52. Thereafter as the line feed link 58 is again raised the pawl 52 is pivoted clockwise out of engagement with the ratchet 49. During this movement of the pawl 52 the spring 56 is effective to move the pawl clockwise into engagement with the ratchet 49. Because of the fact that the operative surfaces of the pawls 5I and 52 are out of alignment by an amount substantially equal to one half the distance between two adjacent ratchet teeth, as the pawl 52 becomes disengaged and the pawl 5I becomes engaged with the ratchet 49 the ratchet is permitted to rotate another half step counterclockwise. These two half steps the ratchet 49 is permitted to move cause the platen I3 to be advanced the distance between two successive printing lines. Therefore upon actuation of the line feed link 58 in response to a line feed signal the platen I3 is rotated to advance the print receiving web one line feed. It has not been considered necessary to show or describe the mechanism for actuating the line feed link 58 as this may be accomplished in any well known manner such as the means used and shown in the aforementioned patent to Morton et al. or application of Baldwin.

The printer frame II has an auxiliary frame 59 suitably secured thereto for supporting the vertical tabulation and form out control mechanism. Rigidly secured to the auxiliary frame 59 is a name plate BI which is etched with markings indicative of line positions of the platen I3. Also rigidly mounted in the auxiliary frame 59 is a bolt 62 which supports the rotatable control mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 63.

A control ring or disc 64 is mounted on the bolt 1 62," being free to rotate thereon but being held in a single plane by a spacer washer 66 and a collar 61 secured to the bolt 82 by a set screw 68. The control ring 64 has a gear 69 secured thereto which meshes with a gear 1| rigidly secured to the platen shaft I2.

plete revolution when the platen |3 has been advanced-eighty-four line spaces. There is nothing xe'd about this ratio and it could be anything else without departing from the spirit of the present invention. This particular ratio of eightyfour line spaces of the platen |3 per revolution of the control ring 64 has been chosen merely because the ordinary forms contemplated to be used with the present invention contain eighty-four or less line spaces.

The'control ring 64 has a pair of rings 12 and 13 secured thereto, each ring 12 or 13 havingv apertures (not shown) spaced uniformly therearound and within which apertures control pins 14 are slidable longitudinally. It will also be noted that there are eighty-four control pins, that is, a control pin` 14 is providedl for'correspending line spaces of the platen I3. Each control pin 14 has a pair of notches 16 and 11. A circular spring plate 18 is secured to the ring 12 and has an individual spring iinger 19 corresponding to each control pin 14. The spring ngers 19 are of such connguration as facilitates seating themselves in the notches 16 and 11 of the control pins 14. The pressure of the spring fingers 19 is sufficient when they are seated in the notches or 11 to retain the control pins positioned longitudinally, however a longitudinal thrustimparted to one of the control pins 14 may be suiiicient tov move such control pin and thereby unseat the retainingspring finger '59. Actually in the operation of the apparatus the control pins 14 will occupy either theposition thereof as shown, being retained in such position by cooperation between the spring fingers 19 and the notches 11, or one of the control pins14 may,

be moved to the position represented by the.

dotted line 8| which respesents the selected position of the control pins 14. l

A disc 82 is mounted on the bolt 62, however the disc 82 is not rotatable, but only slidable on the bolt 62. The disc 82 is shown in its normal position and is movable to the left against the action of a compression spring 83 mounted on the bolt 62 between a washer 84 and a collar 88 lsecured to the disc 82. It is to be noted that the periphery of the disc 82 is very close to the control pins 14 and the disc 82 is designed to engage a shoulder v81 on any control pin 14 occupying its dotted-position 8| and thereby return such control pin 14 to its normal position during the leftward movement of the disc 82. It isl to be further noted that the disc 82 has a slot 88 in its zero position and therefore a selected control pin 14 in the zero position is not restored to its nonselected position during the leitward movement of the disc 82.

y The disc 82 may be moved to the left manually and the means for accomplishing such operation will now be described. A manually depressible The ratiov of the gears 1| and 69 is such that the gear 09 makes a comlever Y89 is mounted pivotally on a shaft 9| and 6. lever 98, by means of a bolt y99. The lever 98 is mounted pivotally on a shaft |0| and has an arm |02 rigidly secured thereto, the arm |02 and the upper part of the lever 98 being bent so as to form a U. At the top of the lever 98 and the arm |02 a pair of lugs |03 are provided which ride within a groove |04 in the collar 86 ofthe disc 82. When the manual lever 89 is depressed the link 92 is raised, which in turn pivots the bell crank Q4 counterclockwise (Fig. 2). Movement of the bell crank 94 in this manner draws the lever 98 to the left, which in turn pivots the lever 98 counterclockwise about its pivot shaft |0|. When the lever 98 moves in this manner the two lugs |03 move the disc 82 to the left against the action of the spring 83. As has been stated previously, when the disc 82 is moved to the left, it engages the shoulder 81 of any control pin 14 previously moved toits dotted position 8| and returns such control pin 14 to its leftward position. However, due to the slot 88 in the disc 82 in the Zero position the control pin 14 in zero position is not moved by the disc 82.

A bell crank lever |06 mounted pivotally on the shaft |0| has an arm designed to be engaged by a stud |01 protruding from the manually depressible lever 8S. The bell crank lever |06 has an operating foot Y|08 in alignment with the shoulder 81 on the control pin 14 in zero position. When the manual lever 89 is depressed, the stud |01 is raised and in so moving engages the arm ofthebellcrank |06 thereby pivoting it clockwise on the' shaft l. When the bell crank |06 moves clockwise in this manner the operating foot |08 thereof engages the shoulder 81 on the control pin 14 in Zero position and thereby moves this control pin 'i4 to the dotted position 8|. It will therefore be noted that whenever a control pin 14 in aero position is selected by being moved to its dotted position 8|, any other control pin 14 having been selected previously is returned simultaneously to its normal unselected position.

The following is a description of the stop mechanism. A ring |99 rigidly secured to the auxiliary frame 59 is provided for the purpose of mounting the stop mechanism. The ring |09 has three transverse holes forreceiving and slidably mounting three posts H2. The posts ||2 haveA a circular ring ||3 bolted thereto by bolts |4 and another circular ring ||6 is rigidly secured to the ring I3 by three bolts i I1. Each of the posts ||2 has a collar ||8 secured thereto. A compression spring ||9 around the post ||2 abuts the collar |I8 and the ring |08 to retain the rings ||3 and M8 in their leftward position as shown.` The ring I8l has a plurality of radial slots |2| which are spaced angularly equal dis,-` tances from one another so as to correspond to lin'e positions of the platen I3. Within the slots |2 the left arms |22 of a plurality of manually settable U-shaped stops |23 are slidable, it being contemplated that a separate stop |23 is provided for each Aradial slot I2. Each of the, stops |23-has a detent |20 which, because of the spring like characteristic of the stops |23, is urged continuously to the left in order to seat itself conveniently in one or the other of a pair of V- shaped grooves |26 and |21 surrounding the ring II'G. Any stop |23 with its detent in the groove |26 occupies its selected position and when so positioned will engage the control pin 11i in selected position to thereby stop rotation of the platen I3. It will be noted that a 'form out stop |28 has a foot |29 although it is just like any other stop |23 in al1 other respects. The

'purpose'of the Vfoot |29 the operation of the apparatus.'

The ring |69 carries three bolts |3| each of which has a spacer sleeve |32 therearound for retaining a rotatable slidable ringplate |33 infA the proper plane. The 'ring plate |33 has threel elongated apertures |34 through which'the bolts-f |3| pass and which allowA a slight rotational` |33 is movedcounterclockwise, due to the clockwise pivotal movement `ofa'lever |39 mounted pivotally on a fixed pivot |4| and secured pivotally to the ring plate |33 Aby -meansof a pivot bolt |42, vthe 'cams |31 engagefthe cam surfaces'l38 on the-posts `||2 and cam the Yposts ||2, rings ||3 and ||6, and stops`|23 to the right against the action of the springs IIS, -whereby a selected control pin 14 'is permitted to pass a selected stop pin |23. platen I3 has been stopped, upon completion ofa vertical tabulationfunction as well as 'during an entire form out function when it is necessary that the selected control pin14 passby all vertical tabulation stops |23.

A suitable pair of brackets |43 support Y'rotatablyashaft |44 to'which is secured a gear |46, the gear |46 meshing with a gear |41 mounted on the continuously'rotatingshaft 33. It istherefore apparent that the shaft |44 is a continuously rotating shaft. The gear |46 has a clutch face (not shown) and this clutch face together with a driving member |48, which is keyed to the shaft |44,'comprise the driving portion of a clutch having driven members y|49 and which are affixed to a vertical tabulation cam sleeve |55. A pair of driving members 1|52and |53 are keyed to the shaft |44 and cooperate with 'a-pair of driven members |54 and |56' to supply 4rotative power to aform out cam'sleeve' |51( Both driving members |48 and |52 areslidable longitudinally onthe shaft `|44 fand a com`- pression spring v|56 urges 'the .member |48 to the left and the member |52 Ito the righttoon the driven member |5| to retain the verticaltabulation cam sleeve 55 stationary, but upon' receipt of a vertical tabulation.v signal, the lever |6| is actuated by any well known means, to releasethe tooth on the member |5| and fthereby to permit the-vertical tabulation cam sleeve |555 :to-make a complete revolution whereuponthe lever |6| again engages thev tooth on-'the driven member |55 tostop further rotation of thesleeve |55.l The means for actuating-the lever |6| may be electrical or mechanical or may consist of means similar "to the functionv mechanisms of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent to Morton et al.` A vlever |62,

similar to the lever 16|, is mounted pivotally` on the shaft 95 and cooperates witha'toothfmot shown) on the driven memberv |56 to normallyretain the form out cam sleeve|51 stationary.- When a form out signal is received, means o1- The ring plate |33 hasthree This operation occurs after the f its pivot point' |69.

edclockwise in this manner a link |1| securedv anywellkn'owntype withdraw the lever |62 fronif the tooth on thedriven member |62 tol thereby'v permit the'form` out -camsleeve |51 to rotate through avsingle revolution.

The vertical tabulation cam sleeve |55 `has a" control y*mechanism slideV cam 63 and a platen release cam"|64. The control mechanism slide. cam |63 has avcooperating follower bellA crank- |66 which 'is urged continuously against the cam |63 by means'of a tension spring v|61 (Fig/5). The 1horizontal arm'of the bell crank |66 en# gagesa pivotal lever |68 when actuated'byithehigh part ofthe cam |63 and thereby-causesthe lever |68 lto'pivot slightly clockwise about When the lever |63 is pivotpivotally thereto is pushed upwardly Aand -leftwardly'and, as the link |1| is secured pivotally to the lever' |39, the leverl |39 causes the ringl plate' |33 to rotate Ycounterclockwise slightly.= It` will bev recalled that when the ring plate |33A is rotatedin this manner, the cams |31 engage the cam surfaces |38 on the posts ||2 to thereby' cam the stops |23 out of engagement with thevv selected control pin14.v This operation whereby the selected control pin 14 `is allowed to pass by a selected 'stop |23 occurs very near the end of the cycle of rotation of the cam |63 vas is' ap parent fromaninspection of Fign.

The'platen release cam |64 has a cooperatingtheir cooperating cams |11 and |64 respectively.y

When the cam |64 on the vertical tabulation cam sleeve |55 rotates so as to bring the high part of the'cam l| 64 opposite the follower |12, the follower |12 is pivoted counterclockwise and its arm |13,

in'engaging the arm |14,'lifts the follower |16 slightly.I The lifting of the follower |16 against the action of its spring |18 causes a link |19, secured pivotally'to the follower |16, to be raised slightly. The link |19 isA secured pivotally to thel upper` esca'pement' pavvl 5| which is lifted from' `engagement-with the ratchet49 at this time'. The

line feed vertical link 58 is stationary at this time and will not permit the spring 56 to raisethe lower pawl '52, so consequently both pawls 5| and 52-are held disengaged from the ratchet 49 simultaneously. Therefore the platen I3 is free to rotate forward.

It-wiil be noted that the cam |64 is effective to allow the platen I3 to rotate forward freely very early in the cycle of rotation of the vertical tabulation cam sleeve |55. It will also be noted thatthe cam |63 is effective to allow the selected control pin'14to pass by a selected stopf|23 very nearthe end of the cycle of rotation of the cam sleeve |55. The ratio between the speed'ofrotation of the platen |3 and the cam sleeve |55 or shaft v|44 is such that the entire length of the longest form contemplated to be used will be fed forward by the'platen |3 before'the high part of' the cam |63 engages the follower |66. Therefore the selected control pin 14 will always engage a selected stopr |23 to stop rotation of the platen I3 prior'to the lateral displacement of the stopsfalls to the low part of the cam |64, the pawl falls into engagement with the ratchet 49 midway between two adjacent teeth thereon. After this engagement of the pawl 5| with the ratchet 49, the selected stop pin |23 in engagement with the selected control pin 14, is moved out of engagement with such control pin. Due to the fact that the effective surface of the pawl 5| is midway between two teeth on the ratchet 49, the ratchet is permitted to rotate one half the distance between two teeth thereon upon disengagement of the selected stop |23 from the selected control pin 14 or, in other words, until the effective surface of the pawl 5| engages the next tooth on the ratchet. During this movement of the ratchet 49 the platen |3 is, of course, also moved a half i step to bring it into the proper line position.

The form out cam sleeve |51 has four cams which include in addition to the platen release cam |11, a control mechanism slide cam |80, a

control pin release cam I8I, and a control pin set cam |82. Each of these four cams |11, |80,

' |8|, and |82 rotate with the form out cam sleeve `clockwise in this manner the link |19 is raised and disengages the pawl 5| from engagement with the ratchet 49, which permits rotation of the platen I3. This lifting of the pawl 5| from engagement with the ratchet 49 upon receipt of a form out signal, as has already been made apparent, is accomplished in substantially the same manner as it was lifted in. response to a vertical tabulation signal.

The control mechanism slide cam |80 (shown more clearly in Fig. 5) has a follower |83 mounted pivotally on the -shaft 95 and urged towards the cam |80 continuously by means of a spring |84. The follower |83 has an arm |86 which overlies the lever |68. When the cam |80 rotates so as to present its high portion to the follower` |83, the

follower |83 is moved so that the arm |86 engages ii.'

and pivots the lever |69 clockwise (Fig. '1). It will be recalled that when the lever |68 is pivoted clockwise, the link |1| is moved leftwardly and upwardly and in turn pivots the lever |39 clockwise about its pivot |4I. The lever |39,rin pivoting clockwise, causes the ring plate |33 tov be rotated counterclockwise slightly which in turn, v Ymoves the stops |23 to the right (Fig. 2) out of engagement with the selected control pin 14.

The control pin release cam |8| cooperates with a follower roller |81 mounted rotatably on the bell crank 94. When the high portion of the cam |8i engages the follower roller |81 (shown more clearly in Fig. 2) the bell crank 94 is pivoted `counterclockwise, the stud 93 rising in the slot -l0 follower portion |88 on the bell crank |06. It will be recalled that when the manual lever 89 is depressed, the bell crank |06 is moved clockwise about its pivot shaft |0| whereby the operating foot |98 on the bell crank |06 engages `and moves the control pin 14 occupying zero position from unselected to selected position. The effect of the engagement between the high portion of the control pin set cam |82 and its follower |88 is the same as when the bell crank |06 is moved manually, that is, the control pin 14 in zero position is moved to selected position by the operating foot |08 on the bell crank |06. u

The sequence of operation of the vvarious cams on the cam sleeve |51 will now be described. A form out signal causes the clutch lever |62 torelease the form out cam sleeve |51 for a single revolution. At substantially the same point in the rotation of the form out cam sleeve |51 and very early in the cycle of rotation thereof, the low part of the platen release cam |11 and the low part of the control pin release cam |80 present themselves to their followers |16 and |83 respectively. Therefore very early in the cycle of rotation of the form out cam sleeve |51, the platen I3 commences rotating and the vertical tabulation stops |23 are moved to the right (Fig. 2) out of alignment with the selected control pin 14. The platen I3 and control mechanism 63 consequently are permitted to rotate freely without interruption by selected stops |23. The movement of the discs H3 and |16 to the right under control of the control mechanism slide cam |80 is not so far to the right as to move the foot |29 on the form out stop |28 out of alignment with the selected control pin 14. Therefore it is apparent that the control mechanism 63 is free to Arotate during a form out operation until the selected control-pin 14 strikes the foot |29 on the form out stop |28.

After the control pin 14 strikes the form out stop |28, but in the same cycle of rotation of the form out cam sleeve |51, the follower |18 drops `to the low part of the platen release cam |11 and consequently the pawl 5| drops against the ratchet 49 midway between two teeth; -At substantially the same point in the form out operation cycle that the pawl 5| drops against the ratchet 49, the high part of the control pin release cam 18| presents itself to the follower roller |81. When the roller |81 rides up the high portion of the cam |81, it will be recalled that the disc 82 is moved to the left to thereby withdraw the selected control pin 14 from selected position and to disengage it from the form out stop i2 Because of the fact that the escapement pawl 5| has already been dropped into engagement with the ratchet 49 by the time that the selected `control pin 14 is withdrawn from enn' trol pin 14 becomes disengaged from the `form out stop |28, the platen 13 is only free to rotate an amount equal to approximately one hall:` the distance between two teeth on the ratchet 49 whereupon the effective surface of the pawl 5| engages a tooth on the ratchet 49 to retain it in a stopped condition.

.et substantially the same time or slightly later than the present-ment of the high portion of the control pin release cam 8| to itsfollower |81 in the rotational cycle of the form out camsleeve |51, the follower |88 on the bell crank |08 rides up and over the peak of the control pin set cam first formr in printing position. tabulation stops. |23'and form outV stop |28 are .|32 to cause the` operating gfoot |88 to engage ,and selectively position thecontrol pin 14 occupying zero position. After'the new control pin 1li is moved to selected position the follower |88 rides to the low part` of the cam |82 and momen- ',tarily later the clutch v`lever |52 is effectivel to stopj further rotation of the cam sleeve |51.

A contactor |90 having an operating lever |89 .is shown vschematically as being fixed to the Y frame 59. When the arm |89 is engaged bythe4 selected controll pin 'i4 a contact (not shown) in the contactorV |90jis closed or opened` as may contactors lmay therefore. be used for such I things as turning onand off satellite printers or reperforators, .controlling numbering circuits,

Ystored messages,.or.actu ating other desired operations. v Since theA rotational position of the selected-control pin .14 corresponds to the line position of -a form around theplaten I3, these other functions, such as .turning on and oi? -satellite printers, .will be performed vwhen corresponding line. positionsin successive forms-are V; fed into printing position.

The following is. adetailed description vof the operation of-the present invention. A web of forms is manually positioned; around the platen I3; andby the aid of the manual lever 3,vwhich is provided to enable the releaseof the platen, the web iS.v positioned with the rst line of the not ,already` properly positioned the operator Vmanually depresses vertical tabulation stops |23 as determined by the name-plate 6|, corresponding to each Yline position on the forms on which --it is desired. to commence printing a group of ,intelligence The operator also inserts the form vout stop |28.. in the aperture |2,|, as determined by the name plate 6|, which .corresponds to the first line positionin thenextapreceding form.

It is necessary for the proper functioning of the y apparatus' that all-` stops |23, other than those lin the positions corresponding-.to the line posi- .tions on the. form where printing of groups of intelligenceis Vto be commenced, be withdrawn to unselected position with their detents engag- :ing the groove |21. setting of .the vvertical ltabulation stopsr |23 and Upon .completion of the form, outgstop |28, `theoperatordepresses rthe ;manuallywoperable; lever 89 which actuates the `bell crank 1GB to move the control vpin 'ill in zero position into selected position,I andv also causes Athe disc 82 (Fig..2) to bewithdrawnleftwardly thereby returning anywpreviously selected control pin '14 to unselected position. The apparatus is therefore conditioned properly for receiving signals and responding thereto including vertical tabulation and form out signals.

. For purposes of the present description of the operation of thel invention vit .will be. assumed that. the forms are seventy .five line spaces in lengthand that, the forms are divided into various print receiving portions, the iirst lines of .which are-linesO, 20, 3,5,..i5, 60and 65. Therefore vertical tabulation stops |23 in positions (as If the vertical v Ation 2,0. the'ratchet 59 with the effective surface of the pawl 5| midway between two teeth on the ratchet t9. The control mechanism slide cam |53 vis then vform out. signals actuate. the printer. 'there is no idle waiting time for the control mech- .anism 63 to return .to an initial position due` to Hthefact that a new control pin 'Mis selected after determined by the name platel)A 20, 35,145; 60,

' and 65 and the form out stop |28 in position 75 will all have been moved to selected position lwith their detents engaging the groove |26.

Incoming message signals are received and actuate the'printer in the normal manner. As-

suming that after ve lines of intelligence have been received av Vertical'tabulation signal is received. In response to the-vertical tabulation signal, the lever I5! is actuated to release the vertical tabulation cam sleeve |55 for rotation.

The platen release cam |64 actuates its follower |'|2 which causes thev pawl 5| to release the ratchet 49 and platen i3 for rotation. The platen |3- rotates until the selected control pin 14 strikes the vertical tabulationA stop' |23 occupying posi- Thereafter the-pawl 5| drops-against effective to movement ofthe discs ||3 and H6, and stops '|23 ,and- |28. to the right (Figyz) so that the selected control pin 14'becomes disengaged from the vertical tabulation stop |23 yin .position 20. The platen I3; and ratchet 4E)V are able to rotate one half astep until the effective surface. of the pawl.5| stops them by engaging the next tooth on the ratchet 49. Last-in the cycle of rotation of thevertical tabulationcam .sleeve |55, the lever |6| is effective to stop further. rotation of the camsleeve |55. The platen .i3 is then retained by the pawl 5| in a position withthe `twentiethline of the. form in printing position. Aftera few lines of printing have been lreceived it will be assumed that a form out signalis received.

.in `.response to the form out signal the lever |62 vreleases the form out/cam sleeve |51 for rotation. During .the rotation of `the cam sleeve ..55'land early. inthe cycle thereofithe platen release cam |11 is effective tov cause the release of lthe Vplaten |3,.for. rotation and the control mechanism slide cam is effective to cause the vertical tabulation` stops |23 to be moved out of alignment with the selected control pin .14. The

, platen, |3 therefore rotates freely until .these- .lected control pin 'i4 strikes the foot |29 on the form out stop |28. Thereafter the pawl 5| drops against the ratchet 49 withthe effective surface of the pawl 5| midwayvbetween two teeth on the ratchet. AThe control pin release cam, |8| is theneiective to cause 'the movement of the disc 22 to the .left v`(Fig..2)A which withdraws 'the selected control pin 'I44 to unselectedposition, and at substantiallyl the `same point in the cycle the .controlpin set cam |82 is effective to cause the operating foot- |58 to move to the right and thereby move a.. newVA control .pin 'HiA into, selected ...position When the previously,selectedcontrol Apin 'Mns withdrawn'from engagement With the formout stop. |28.the platen I3 merelyrotates one half a step whereupon the effective surface `of `the pawl, 5| engages the next tooth on the .ratchetllil and thereby retains the platen I3 printing position.

stopped withthe rst line of the new form in .When it is desired to feed out one or more blank forms it is only necessary that successive Further each form out operation.

. The presentdisclosure represents but Vone embodiment of the invention and it is contem- 13 plated that other embodiments and modifications will be designed which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: l. In an apparatus for controlling the advancecvnient of message forms around a telegraph printer platen, means for rotating said platen,

v means responsive to line feed signals for causing means to a predetermined position for stop-V ping further rotation thereof nwhereby an old message form is fed out and a new message form is fed into printing position, and other means eiective upon the stopping of rotation of said platen by said selected selectable pin for withdrawing said selected selectable pin to unselected position and setting a new selectable pin in selected position to thereby control the feeding out of said new message form in response to a subsequent form out signal.

2. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph printing platen, means for rotating said platen, means responsive to line feed signals for causing line to line advancement of said platen by said rotating means, a plurality of selectable pins rotatable with said platen, means responsive to a form out signal for causing said rotating means to advance said platen an indeterminate amount, a selected one of said selectable pins being erlective upon rotation of said platen by said rotating means to a predetermined position for stopping further rotation thereof whereby an old message form is fed out and a new message form is fed into printing position, means effective upon the stopping of rotation of said platen by said selected selectable pin for withdrawing said selected selectable pin to unselected position,and other vmeans effective substantially simultaneously with the withdrawal of said selected selectable pin for setting a new selectable pin in selected position to thereby control the feeding out of said new message form in response to a subsequent form out signal.

3. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph printer platen, means for rotatingk said platen, means responsive to line feed signals for causing line to line advancement of said platen by said rotating means, means responsive to vertical tabulation signals or form out signals for causing free advancement of said platen by said rotating means, a plurality of individually selectable control pins rotatable with-"said platen, a

circular stop unit having a plurality. of selectable vertical tabulation stops and a form out stop, said form out stop being set in a'position correspending to a rst print receivingline of a message form, selected ones of said vertical tabulation stops being set'4 in positions corresponding to other print receiving lines of said message form,

' sive to a vertical tabulation signal upon engagement between said selected control pin and one of said vertical tabulation stops for enabling said selected control pin to pass the engaging vertical tabulation stop, means responsive to a form out signal for enabling said selected control pin to pass all of said selected vertical tabulation stops, and means effective in response to a form'V out signal upon engagement between said selected control pin and said form out stop for withdrawing said selected control pin to unselected position and setting a new selectable control pin in selected position to thereby control the feeding of a new messagev form in response to vertical tabulation and form out signals.

4. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph printer platen, means for rotating said platen,

' means responsive to line feed signals for causing line to line advancement of said platen by said rotating means, means responsive to vertical tabulation signals for causing free advancement of said platen by said rotating means, a plurality of individually selectable control pins rotatable with said platen, a circular stop unit having a plurality of selectable vertical tabulation stops, selected ones of said vertical tabulation stops being set in positions corresponding to print receiving lines of said message form, said vertical tabulation stops being effective to stop rotation of said platen by blocking a selected control pin, and means responsive to a vertical tabulation signal upon engagement between said selected control pinand one of said vertical tabulation stops for enabling said selected control pin to pass the engaging verticaltabulation stop.

5. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph printer platen, means for rotating said platen, means responsive to line feed signals for causing line to line advancement of` said platen by said rotating means, means responsive to vertical tabulation signals for causing free advancement of said platen by said rotating means, a

plurality of individually selectable control pinsv rotatable with said platen, a circular stop unit having a 'plurality of selectable vertical tabulation stops, selected ones of said vertical tabulation stops being set in positions corresponding to print receiving lines of said message form, said vertical tabulation stops being effective to stop rotation of said platen by blocking a selected control pin, and means responsive to a vertical tabulation signal and effective after engagement between said selected control pin and one of said vertical tabulation stops for momentarily displacing said circular stop unit axially a predetermined amount to thereby enable said selected control pin to pass the engaging vertical tabulation stop.

6. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph print- -responsive to a form out signal for causing free advancernent of said platen by said rotating means, a plurality of individually selectable control pins rotatable with said platen, a circular stop unit for retaining a form out stop selectively positioned to correspond to the end of one form and the beginning of the next form, the selectively positioned form out stop being effective to st op rotation of said platen by said rotating means with a new form in printing position by blocking a selected control pin, and means effective in response to a form out signal upon engagement between said selected control pin and said selectively positioned form out stop for withdrawing said selected control pin from selected position to enable further rotation of said platen and for setting a new selectable control pin in selected v position to therebycontrol thefeeding outof a new form Ain response to a subsequent form out signal.

7,. In an apparatus for controlling the advancement of message forms around a telegraph print- .en-platen, means for rotating said platen, means y responsive to a form out signal for causing free advancement .of said platen by said rotating means, z a plurality of individually selectable control pins rotatable with saidplaten, a circular stop unit for retaining a form out stop selectively positioned to correspond-.to the end of one form and the be- .,ginning of the next form, the selectively positioned form out stop being effective to stop rotation of said platen by said rotating means with a .new form in printing position by blocking a selected control pin, Va withdrawing plate effectivein Iresponse to a form out signal after engagement between said .selectedI control. pin and 1 said selectively positionedform out stop .for withdrawing. said selected controly pin to unselected position, and a selecting lever effective in re- `sponse to a form out signal after engagementbe- -tween said selectedcontrol pin and said. selectively positioned form out stop for settinga control pin corresponding .to the rst line .ofa new form to, thereby control the feeding of said new form.

8. In. aV feed control mechanism .for power operated printing machines, a rotatable platen for advancing .message forms therearound, means for 'rotating` .saidl platen, a stop mechanism having rslots corresponding to successiveline positions .of

said platen up to a predetermined .maximum number thereof, a form out stop positionable in one of said slots corresponding tothe length of .said message forms, a control mechanism rotatable with said platen and having aplurality of selectable control. pins, means responsive to a form out signal for enabling. rotation. of said platen by said rotatingmeans, a selected control pin. being effective to engage said form outy stop upon rotation of, said platen to thereby st op said jplatenwithl theirstline of a new message form in printing positionand other means responsive to said form outA signal and effective upon the stopping of saidplaten for withdrawing said selected controlpin from selection and selecting the control pin corresponding to said first line of said new massage form.

` 9; In a feed control mechanism for power operated printing machines, a rotatable platen for advancing message forms therearound, means for `rotating said platen, aY stop mechanism having slots corresponding to successive line positions of said platen up to a predetermined maximum number thereof, an indicator adjacent said stop Vmechanism for indicating the line position of said plated-a form out stop positionable in one of A"said slots correspondingtothe -lengthA of 'said message forms as determined by said indicator, a control mechanism rotatable with said platen and having a plurality of selectable control pins, means responsive to a form out signal for enabling rotation of said platen by said rotating means, a selectedcontrol'pin being-.effective rto engage said formA out stop upon rotation of said platen to thereby stop said platen with the rst line of `a new message form in printing position, and other means responsive to 'said form out signal and effective upon the stopping of said platen for withdrawing said selectedv controlv pinv from selection and selecting the control pin corresponding to said `first line of said new message form.

10. In a j feed control mechanism for power l,operated printing machines, a rotatable platen for advancing message forms therearound, means for rotating said platen, a stop .mechanism having slots corresponding tosuccessive line positions of said platen up to a predetermined maximum numberthereof, a form out stop position- .able in one ofk saidslots corresponding to the .length of said message forms, a plurality` of selectable vertical tabulation stops in the remain- .der ofsaid slots, selected ones ofv said vertical .tabulation stopsbeing set in positions corresponding to print receiving `lines of said message form,.a control mechanism rotatable with said platenand having a plurality of selectable control pins, means responsive to either a form out signal or .a verticaltabulation signal for enabling rotation of saidplaten by .said rotating means,.a selected control piny being effective to engagev .the next selected vertical .tabulation stop to stop. rotation of. said platen `upon rotation thereof in response to a vertical tabulation signal, means .effective in. response to a .form out signal. to enable said selected control pin to pass all selected vertical tabulation stops andengage .said form out.. stop tothereby stop rotation of said platen with a new message form in printing position, and other means responsive to said form ,-out. signal and effective upon the stopping of said vplaten for withdrawing said selected control pin from selection and selecting .the control pin corresponding to the first line of said new message form.

.11. In. a feed. control mechanism for power operated printing machines, a rotatable platen for. advancing. message forms therearound, means .for rotating said platen, a stop mechanism carryinga form out stop positionable in accordance with the lengthof .said message formsa control .mechanism rotatable with said platen and having .a...plurality .of selectable control pins, manually operable means for initially selecting one of said .control pins corresponding tov a zero position. or

first printing line position on a first message form, means4 responsive to a form out signal for .enabling rotation of said platen by said rotating means, the selected control pin being effective to engage said form out stop upon rotation of said platen tothereby stop said platen with the next message form in zero position, and automatic means responsive to. said form out signalfand .effective upon the stopping of said platen for withdrawing thepreviously selected control pin and selecting a new control pin corresponding to said Zero position on said next message form.

.12.*In a feed control mechanism for power operated printing machines," a rotatable vplaten for advancingmessageforms therearound, means for rotating said platen, means responsive toline feed signalsfor enabling normalA line to line advancementof saidv platen by said rotating means, a stop vmechanism .carrying a yform out stop ypositionable in accordance with the length of 18 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS v Number'`r Name Date 2,273,081 Zenner Feb. 17, 1942 2,276,991 Long et a1 1712; Mar. 17, 1942 2,529,238 Angel Nov. 7, 1950 

